Passengers evacuate Southern train after a preacher started talking about doomsday and panic.

Things to do

RECOLLECTING EAST AFRICA: At the National Archives you can learn about the harrowing testimonies of soldiers who fought during the East Africa campaign. The National Archives, £5, book ahead, 2pm-3pm

AND NOW WHAT?: Brexit, now what? Immigration, now what? Inequality, now what? It's a big ol' question, which is being explored by young people through spoken word, music, theatre and film starting today until the end of November. Roundhouse, various prices, book ahead, until 27 November

TALES FROM TELEVISION: Have you ever wondered how they make those visually arresting natural history programmes? In this lecture, Dr George McGavin will take you on a behind the scenes look at some of the highs and lows of natural history filmmaking. Museum of London, free, book ahead, 6pm-7pm

CANDLELIGHT LATE: Every first Tuesday of the month Sir John Soane's Museum opens its atmospheric doors and invites Londoners to explore its collection by candlelight. Make sure you're in the queue by 5.30pm to avoid being turned away. Sir John Soane's Museum, free, just turn up, 6pm-9pm

BEATS AND DRINKS: Head to the Africa Centre for the London launch of #FutureTrends, a week-long series looking at how emerging urban cultures are shaping the future fashion and architecture of East Africa. Expect art, fashion film screenings and talks with the artists. Africa Centre, free, book ahead, 6pm-11pm, until 7 October.

TASTE OF ISLAY: Enjoy cocktails inspired by the Isle of Islay. As part of London Cocktail Week, The Botanist — the first and only Islay dry gin — will partner with east London joint Sager and Wilde. Bethnal Green, £45, book ahead, 7pm-10.30pm, until 6 October

MERCHANT OF VENICE: Watch actors who have no idea of the plot, no rehearsals, and nowhere to hide from your scrutiny as they attempt to wing one of the Bard's best plays — luckily it's one of his shortest. The Cockpit Theatre, £20, book ahead, 7pm-9pm, until 7 October

THE LADYKILLERS: Go and have a laugh with this stage adaption of a beloved Ealing classic about a dastardly professor and his motley crew of musicians planning a train robbery. Queen's Theatre, £29, book ahead, 7.30pm,until 21 October

COMEDY GROTTO: Comic genius Pierre Novellie does observational comedy for people who think they hate observational comedy. Go along tonight, challenge him to win you over and you'll be raising money for Syrian refugees in the process. Win Win. The Star of Kings, £5, book ahead, 8pm-10.15pm

Art review: a triathlon for a composer

Image courtesy Guido van der Werve

The King’s Institute explores the theme of melancholia in this exhibition and starts with the fantastic Albrecht Durer print of the same name, showing a rather glum winged figure. At the other end of the scale we have a 54 minute video of an artist swimming, cycling and running between where the composer Chopin’s heart and body are buried — over 1,000 miles apart. The show is short but the few works have a poweful impact. Melancholia: A Sebald Variation at King’s Cultural Institute, Strand (entrance through Somerset House). Until 10 December, free ★★★★☆ (Tuesday-Sunday) Tabish Khan

Food review: Lunch spot Dayrooms is an Instagrammable hit

From now on Pret won’t get a look in — there’s a new kid on the block when it comes to fresh and tasty lunch offerings in the city. Complete with pink coffee machine and plenty of plants, The Dayrooms café in Holborn offers a weekly changing seasonal menu, so you never quite know what to expect from the colourful deli counter. Fill a box with salads such as roasted pumpkin and feta, pak choi and bean sprouts, or wild rice, then choose extras such as bruschetta and tacos. Protein add-ons are varied, and even include vegan options — succulent soy, honey and sesame chicken was a sound choice, but the crispy skinned trout and courgette fritters looked equally delicious. When it comes to dessert, adventurous options such as carrot and cardamom cake, buckwheat banana bread and miso caramel brownies definitely give Dayrooms’ bakes the edge. The venue is small (but perfectly formed) and lends itself primarily to take away, but there are spaces to sit, munch, and admire the stunning interiors. With a vitamin-heavy smoothie menu, teas from T2, insanely good coffee and décor that makes the café pretty Instagram-worthy, Dayrooms is a hit. The Dayrooms Café, 10 Theobald’s Road, London, WC1X 8PN ★★★★☆ Hari Mountford

Theatre review: It's Shahtime, baby

Ahir Shah's new show deals with Brexit and Trump, with the rise of fascism across the world and the decline of kindness. Big tragic hypocrisies and insidious, personal ones. All the thorny stuff. Fortunately Control's more than up to the task. It's true the lolz are frontloaded in the show. The final third becomes more reflective, the earlier mix of personal and political shifting in favour of the latter. It’s far from uneven, though. By the end of the show, Control's an equal mix of comedy and poetry, Shah's fired-up invective landing like Kate Tempest dropping bars. Control's not light-hearted — not remotely — but the energy of Shah's anger and defiance, and the deftness of his delivery keeps it buoyant. Ahir Shah: Control, Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, Soho, W1D 3NE. Tickets from £9, until 7 October ★★★★★ Lydia Manch

Good cause for the day: dog walking

Join hoards of dog walkers on a pad around Hamspstead Heath at this fundraising dog walk for animal charity Mayhew Animal Home. Choose between a leisurely 3km walk past Highgate Ponds or a more challenging 5km walk up steeper hills passed the iconic Kenwood House. Even if you haven't had time to round up sponsors you can still enjoy a stroll with your pooch and raise awareness for a good cause. Hampstead Heath Band Stand, £10 for the first dog, £5 for additional dogs (no more than three per person), book ahead, 8 October,11.30am

Learn about London's debauched, drunken and disorderly history on this tour of the sordid side of the West End. Have you heard the story of the 15ft high tsunami of beer which rushed through the streets of London? Or about London's unluckiest theatre and most morbidly-located church? This tour will take you from the Covent Garden to Somerset House, entertaining you with tales of hangmen and criminals, prostitutes and paupers and the eccentric characters of Georgian London along the way.
Get tickets

Camden's known for its street art, but how much do you really know about it?
Explore the street art of Camden, and learn about the people who make it from an insider. You''ll visit pieces of street art that are off the beaten track, and get an insight into their possible meaning and inspiration. This two-hour tour will enable you to see Camden in a new light. Get tickets

Visit old pubs, even older churches, hidden rivers, mysterious tunnels and more on this tour of hidden Londo. You'll hear tales of the myths and legends which made the City of London what it is today, and find out the area's links to nursery rhymes and literary figures. Get tickets

Get sorted into one of the four magical houses of Hogwarts, and go in exploration of the city’s famous filming locations on this 2-hour walking tour. You’ll meet your guide outside the Palace Theatre, where Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is showing, and set off on your journey across town - following in the footsteps of Deatheaters, visiting the inspiration for Knocturn Alley, and marvelling at the Ministry of Magic. And you better brush up on your Potter knowledge, because you can earn points for your house along the way, by taking part in trivia quizzes. The winners? You’ll find out when the tour ends at Platform 9 3/4… Get tickets